An Appeal for Help

The Sisters of the Child Jesus, based in Kasama, Zambia, are a local order founded almost a hundred years ago. The Sisters run a day-care centre for 103 destitute children, a project started by volunteers from Jersey, U.K., who could not keep it going. They supported it by a large garden, worked by the children themselves. Those cared for at the centre range in age from three to twenty.

The centre also had a maize farm. Maize flour is the staple food and some maize was sold to cover school costs. Two of the children have qualified for tertiary study.

Zambia is gripped by drought. The Sisters have been given water rights but need a 1.8 km channel to get the water to their farm.

They plan to build a small dam, supplying water for the local community as well.

Sister Mary preparing the fire for cooking the children’s meal

Children eating on the floor, as tables are in short supply

Street children picked up and taken to school by the Sisters

Serving a meal for the children

I have both their project description and their detailed costings, which includes a solar power pump. They seek only the pump and raw materials, and will use volunteer labour. They need 151,350 Kwacha, about $NZ 17,000.

I cannot think of any use of funds which would create so much benefit to so many children.

Sister Mary Chilengwe is the contact person for the Sisters. Should you wish to contact her, her email address is yanachivula1@yahoo.com.

For detailed information about this project and how to help, please contact me, Elizabeth Isichei emisichei@gmail.com.